So there goes the first, of what Arsenal fans are hoping is not many, disappointing cup nights for 2013-14. The doom merchants are already chirping away after the Gunners saw their Champions League hopes dented against Borussia Dortmund last week and their League Cup chances terminated by a more powerful second-string Chelsea side last night - it seems not even being top of the league can prevent Wenger and his club from criticism.

Arsenal rested several players, but still had a strong team on show last night. However the glaring inability of two of those players that came in, Carl Jenkinson and Nicklas Bendtner highlights the difference in the two sides strength in depth, that leaves Arsenal with just the three more routes toward ending the silverware drought this term.

But while this spattering of first-team starters and bench warmers dropped out, one player more than used to League Cup football with the Gunners is celebrating a dramatic advancement to the next round.

Arsenal allowed Spanish defender Ignasi Miquel a loan move to Leicester City at the start of the season, to give the 21-year-old a chance of regular first-team football in 2013-14.

Earlier in the month however things were not looking good for the player. He expressed his frustration at a lack of playing time with The Foxes this season. Speaking in the local press he stated:

"This is a very important year for me at Leicester. I have to show to myself and Arsenal what I can do and that I can play. It has been a little frustrating because I haven't played many games so far, but I have to be realistic…I have try to get as much experience and games as I can. Then I must go back to Arsenal and try to get into the team. That will be very tough but that is what I plan to do."

But last night would have done his chances no harm. He is currently behind Wes Morgan and Liam Moore in the pecking order, but was given a chance to start the game against Fulham in the competition last night.

And he would have done his chances no harm.

Despite the Championship club’s defence being potentially questioned on conceding three goals, at least they scored four - of which Miquel bagged one.

It was his first goal for the club, and his second professional goal along with scoring against Coventry City in the same competition last year.

Lloyd Dyer scored a stunning late winner for Leicester to leave their Premier League opponents flabbergasted in defeat.

And hopefully give Miquel more first-team opportunities, as he hopes to add to the solitary appearance he has made in the Championship this season.

Can Miquel crack the first team at Arsenal, or indeed at Leicester City for that matter?

Mathew Nash

I’m Mathew Nash a 27 year old graduate in Sports Studies and I have an insatiable love for sport. With a particularly keen interest for the madcap world of football I have always been known amongst friends as a beacon for bizarre sporting trivia and knowledge. My other passion is for writing and hopefully combining the two will create a superb and entertaining marriage that will create, divide and share opinion.Mathew is a correspondent for the NextGen Series, Ligue 1 and Primeira Liga.